BREXIT? Yes or No?

@suzie1960 Yeah, but - you're going to regain your independence back. You'll get to make your own choices again. It might cause an initial hit economically, but the freedom afterwards will lead to greater growth, and you will no longer be subject to unelected bureaucrats in Brussels, or unaccountable European courts. The EU brings benefits, but, are they enough to give up sovereignty and independence?

@SW-User Do you think it would be a good idea for Rhode Island to leave the Union too? They'd get there independence and they could make their own choices without interference from the Federal Government.

We will still have to comply with EU regulations if we want to trade with the EU. The only difference is that we won't have any say in making those regulations.

I think it's a good thing for us (the people) to have the European Courts to protect us from some of worst excesses of our government - such as imprisonment without trial.

I don't think it would be good for Rhode Island, though I don't think the two situations are analogous. I also think RI has more control over it's regulatory environment than the EU permits its countries. I'm not European so that's just my opinion, I didn't vote. I can understand both points of view, and I gave you what would be my preference.

@SW-User I think the two situations are almost identical.

RI is a small state in a large federation; The UK is just small state in a large federation too. Do you seriously think a little nation like the UK is better placed to negotiate trade deals than a federation of 27 countries?

As for EU regulations, a lot of the rules the UK Government say are EU regulations aren't. The EU is a convenient scapegoat.

Maybe the EU is a scapegoat, or maybe it isn't. I don't know enough about that - though I know people on the other side of the issue.

RI has a population of 1.06 million, and no history of being its own country. The UK has a population of 65.14 million, made up of three countries united for over 200 years, and individually with national identities going back a millennium and a half - so analogous? Hardly.

I want to offer this in a respectful manner - it's taken from a Geopolitical Futures (GPF) article - and it's an assessed opinion about Europe and the EU - the topic was whether the EU acts like a country or not

"The EU, however, is not a country, and it is not about to become one. If Europe were a country, German tax dollars would be allocated toward paying down Greece’s debt. If Europe were a country, its military would be deployed in Poland to defend its borders from Russia. If Europe were a country, rules would apply equally to all: France wouldn’t get to ignore European budget deficit rules and then single out Poland as a black sheep for violating democratic norms because of its judicial reforms. If Europe were a country, a Romanian would be willing to die to protect a Spaniard. I have no doubt that there are people of goodwill in all these countries, none of whom wish to see harm visited upon others. But there’s a difference between passive hope for all to live in peace, and active sacrifice to protect members of the same community."

I'm sure there are differing opinions, but I think this wraps up what the issues are - and why so many people supported Brexit.

@SW-User we used to have the ability to see the positive and negative sides of an argument. Now that seems impossible. Everything is politicised in black and white (good and evil) along with people's emotions - that's the real disaster in my humble opinion.

@suzie1960 on the positive side re a convenient scapegoat - they will no longer be able to use the EU as a convenient scapegoat for those laws
Being themselves directly accountable to the people - the British Parliament will have to face the music for its decisions

@SW-User It's still early days but the EU is moving towards greater unity. A lot of the problems are caused by the UK vetoing attempts to bring the member states closer together and other varoius motions. In some ways, they'll be well shot of us.

Our Government is even trying to dictate the terms of our leaving the EU rather than negotiate a settlement. Pretty typical really. They're trying to have their cake and eat it. They want all the benefits of EU membership with none of the obligations - they're not going to get it and the sooner they understand that the better.

There is also the problem of the borders with Ireland and Spain. The idea of Schengen is to remove internal borders while strengthening external ones. As a member of the EU we can have an open border with Ireland and free travel between Gibraltar and Spain. When we leave, absent any special arrangement, we have to be shut out. That means closing the borders with Ireland and Spain. No more free cross-border trade or travel.

Many workers in Gibraltar live in Spain, travelling to work will present major problems for them. Businesses in Gibraltar will find it difficult to recruit workers.

Looks like fun times ahead.

Ok, I understand. But two things - first, there are plenty of reports of the EU's efforts toward greater unity being primarily a project of its elites - not of the populations of the countries involved. In many countries the populations are becoming upset with the interference of this extra national body, and not just the EU Parliament - but the bureaucrats and the courts into everyone's business. Stratfor and Geopolitical Futures are two think tanks that think the EU is facing tremendous strains to its unity.
Second point - this is an extra national government - dictating to sovereign countries. The UK is not a occupied country, or one that has totally failed its population and needs intervention. It's a sovereign country with a thousand plus year history, and it's freedoms and opportunities are being decided elsewhere?? Something really doesn't sound right.
The border issue is workable. I know it's problematic - and everyone knew it would be - but that's a workable problem. As for the negotiations - why shouldn't they push for the best deal? And I don't understand why there is a price to leave at all?? 60 billion Euros?... Seriously?!? I don't understand why your government doesn't just say "no" we're not paying that - let's negotiate the rest, but that is off the table. Period. I mean, the arrogance of the EU to demand payment of any kind - almost justifies Brexit by itself. It certainly confirms it.

Just my thoughts.